Portland Local News

Murder suspect accused of new crimes against children

by Felicia Heaton

A man jailed on charges related to the 2011 homicide of Gladstone beauty shop owner Debbie Higbee Benton is facing new criminal charges. 33-year-old Jason Jaynes is now accused of multiple counts of child sex abuse that allegedly occurred between 1998 and 2001.

Police believe Jaynes abused girls when he lived on Ipswitch St. in Gladstone and have reason to believe there are more victims than those they have encountered during their investigation.

Oregon City detective will not say whether the alleged crimes were discovered during the investigation of the Higbee Benton murder but they are asking anyone with information about that case or the child sex abuse charges to call a tip line operated by the Oregon State Police, 1-888-780-5678.